Would I Pick Illinois Again (Senior Sentiments)

Would I Pick Illinois Again (Senior Sentiments) Hi everyone, Some of you might have your next four years here mapped out to a tee, while others are still unsure if Illinois is where you want to be. Regardless of how youre feeling, everything youre thinking of is in the future. Now that Im an old timer, I can at least share what I think about my university experience with the power of hindsight, and maybe something will resonate with you to help you make a decision. 1. People matter. I used to be a huge introvert, but Ive developed an extroverted side because you just cant do it alone. People matter so much. Family keeps you grounded, friends keep you accountable, and surrounding yourself with people who inspire and cherish you keeps you sane through what will be some of the most formative years of your life. In this sense, I would choose Illinois again without question. Its a huge school, which sounds intimidating, but it just means its that much more likely that youll be able to find your group of friends. I attend a predominantly Asian church of 1000+ members, my advertising major is predominantly white and female, and at other campus gatherings, Ive met LGBT folk, people in research, rock climbers, and so many others. A big school means you have a lot of potential for great relationships. 2. Opportunities matter, and Illinois has them. When you think of technology, you might immediately of Silicon Valley, California, and West Coast tech companies. But those arent the only places where innovation is happening. Champaign-Urbana has many leading tech companies because of the resources at Illinois  and lower living costs of the area. With one of the highest international populations, Illinois  also has a diverse and worldwide alumni network that you can connect to for learning, mentorship, and jobs. There are some lectures that still put me to sleep and I can complain about how a lot of classes seem pointless, but ultimately I had what I needed here to start building a life and a career. Research Park. Source: researchpark.illinois.edu 3. But U of I is expensive. Truthfully, U of I is expensive,  even for in-state residents. But there are many scholarships available for students. For example, my friend worked throughout her undergrad and was also  part of the I-Promise program, and despite being from a lower-income family, she was able to graduate with $0 debt or loans. Another benefit of Illinois huge alumni network is that it means there are many people in the working world who are happy to donate and give back to fund your education through such scholarships. There are ways to manage money; you just have to be diligent about finding them out. 4. But James, what do you do for fun? Volleyball. Rock climbing. Pumpkin picking. Cider drinking. Star watching. Barn dancing. Restaurant hopping. Movie watching. Arts enjoying. OK, so some of  these are pretty farm-esque for those worried about being in the middle of the cornfields. But the point is, there is a lot of stuff to do. And as long as youre with people you love, it hardly matters what you do. Most of the time youll be studying, pulling shenanigans for free in the residence halls, or just enjoying the huge campus: So would I pick Illinois again? Absolutely. For me, I dont think I could have seen it another way because of the lifelong friends Ive established and the opportunities Ive had. Illinois  is special because no one expects there to be such a hub of life  in the middle of nowhere. But Champaign-Urbana is growing. Will you choose to partake in whats buzzing  here at Illinois? Good luck, and go with your gut. There are no wrong choices, only right onesâ€"as long as you go in with a bit of courage and zeal, youll be a better you by the end of four years, and thats all anyone could want. ?? James Class of 2016 I’m an Advertising major also pursuing a minor in Anthropology. I’m heavily involved with the American Advertising Federation on campus. I'm from Naperville, Illinois.